Procurement Officer – CST I

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

4 December 2024-23:59-GMT-04:00 Venezuela Time (Caracas)

WFP celebrates and embraces diversity. It is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all its employees and encourages qualified candidates to apply irrespective of race, colour, national origin, ethnic or social background, genetic information, gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, religion or belief, HIV status or disability.

ABOUT WFP

The World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity, for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change.

At WFP, people are at the heart of everything we do and the vision of the future WFP workforce is one of diverse, committed, skilled, and high performing teams, selected on merit, operating in a healthy and inclusive work environment, living WFP’s values (Integrity, Collaboration, Commitment, Humanity, and Inclusion) and working with partners to save and change the lives of those WFP serves.

To learn more about WFP, visit our website: https://www.wfp.org and follow us on social media to keep up with our latest news: YouTube, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok.

WHY JOIN WFP? 

• WFP is a 2020 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate.

• WFP offers a highly inclusive, diverse, and multicultural working environment.

• WFP invests in the personal & professional development of its employees through a range of training, accreditation, coaching, mentorship, and other programs as well as through internal mobility opportunities.

• A career path in WFP provides an exciting opportunity to work across the various country, regional and global offices around the world, and with passionate colleagues who work tirelessly to ensure that effective humanitarian assistance reaches millions of people across the globe.

• We offer an attractive compensation package (please refer to the Terms and Conditions section of this vacancy announcement).

BACKGROUNG AND JOB PURPOSE:

WFP began operations in Venezuela in 2021, following the signing of an agreement with the Bolivarian Government of Venezuela. As of February 2023, WFP frames its operations in the country under the Interim Strategic Plan (2023-2025), which consists of four outcomes: (i) comprehensive school feeding package and food rations; (ii) cooperation, support for and technical assistance to state institutions and national actors in prioritized areas. This includes the strengthening of agri-food systems, logistical and support capacity, institutional procurement and production chains, as well as capacity development relevant to monitoring, adapting to and managing the effects of climate change.; (iii) provide needs-based food support to prioritized populations as an immediate response to natural disasters; y (iv) contribute to the strengthening of the logistics sector, mobilizing its knowledge, expertise and operational capacity in supply chains, public procurement, logistics, procurement of inputs for production processes and technical cooperation.

The incumbent will act as Head of Procurement and report to the Head of Supply Chain. The incumbent will operate with a high degree of independence as well as guide and capacitate national staff to ensure effective procurement services. This position will support diverse initiatives inscribed in the Interim Country Strategic Plan, and more specifically support activities under the Outcome 2. The incumbent will lead, provide technical advice and oversight partnering with the key functions of the Country Office.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive, withing delegated authority)

1. Contribute towards the development of procurement plans and processes ensuring compliance with wider procurement policies and WFP standards.

2. Track and analyze data to provide recommendations for process improvement.

3. Consolidate and analyze data from which to inform Country sourcing strategies or plan specialist procurement initiatives that support effective and cost optimizing purchase decisions.

4. Lead the implementation of procurement projects of moderate complexity or manage operational activities for a Country Office (e.g. issue tenders, evaluate offers and negotiate/award contracts), to ensure successful procurement of food and non-food commodities and services.

5. Collate information and draft appropriate responses to recommendations to support auditing of procurement activities and ensure conformity with compliance rules.

7. Identify, develop, and maintain strong relationships with all relevant suppliers and vendors to enable WFP to maximize the value of the service delivered. Manage and coordinate effective relationships with inspection firms to ensure quality control, specification conformity, volume assessment, monitoring, and verification of deliveries.

8. Work in close collaboration with cross functional counterparts to align procurement activities and promote an integrated supply-chain approach to food assistance.

9. Contribute to preparedness actions, providing technical recommendations and guidance and monitor the management of procurement specific risk.

10. Develop and implement strategies that prioritize smallholder farmers’ production and capacity, facilitating access to markets, building partnerships with markets stakeholders in close coordination with the Supply Chain Retail and Programme Unit – lead the implementation from a procurement perspective of the local and regional food procurement policy.

11. Support the development of fortification initiatives to enhance nutritional quality of locally produced foods in close coordination with the Programme Unit. This includes collaborating with local producers and institutions.

12. Lead the procurement team ensuring appropriate development and enabling high performance and knowledge of WFP processes and standards.

13. Build capacity of WFP staff to take a strategic and proactive approach to the procurement of food and non-food commodities and services e.g., through provision of training sessions, with a focus on enabling national staff to become fully independent in their roles.

14. Provide strategic guidance and advice to the Head of Supply Chain as required.

15. Other as required.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

Education:

• Advanced University degree in Economics, Commerce, Business Administration, Engineering, Legal or Accounting or other relevant field, or First University degree with additional years of related work experience and/or training/courses

Desired experiences:

• 3-5 years of post-graduate professional experience in procurement of food, goods, services, and vendor management.
• Managed a team (including direct reports).
• Experience conducting cost analyses.
• Experience working with small holder farmers as well as commercial vendors.

Language: Fluency (level C) in both English and Spanish language is a must.

WFP LEADERSHIP FRAMEWORK

WFP Leadership Framework guides to the common standards of behavior that guide HOW we work together to accomplish our mission.

Click here to access WFP Leadership Framework

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION

WFP is dedicated to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion. Our recruitment process is inclusively crafted to welcome candidates of all backgrounds, celebrating diversity and ensuring a respectful environment for all. We aim for an accessible and fair recruitment journey. Should you need any reasonable accommodations or have accessibility concerns, please reach out to us confidentially at [email protected]. Our DEI team is here to ensure your full participation in our recruitment process.

NO FEE DISCLAIMER

The United Nations does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Should you receive a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Furthermore, please note that emblems, logos, names and addresses are easily copied and reproduced. Therefore, you are advised to apply particular care when submitting personal information on the web.

REMINDERS BEFORE YOU SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION

• We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete, and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, language skills and UN Grade (if applicable).

• Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application.

• Please make sure you upload your professional CV in the English language

• Kindly note the only documents you will need to submit at this time are your CV and Cover Letter

• Additional documents such as passport, recommendation letters, academic certificates, etc. may potentially be requested at a future time

• Please contact us at [email protected] in case you face any challenges with submitting your application

• Only shortlisted candidates will be notified

All employment decisions are made on the basis of organizational needs, job requirements, merit, and individual qualifications. WFP is committed to providing an inclusive work environment free of sexual exploitation and abuse, all forms of discrimination, any kind of harassment, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. Therefore, all selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

No appointment under any kind of contract will be offered to members of the UN Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ), International Civil Service Commission (ICSC), FAO Finance Committee, WFP External Auditor, WFP Audit Committee, Joint Inspection Unit (JIU) and other similar bodies within the United Nations system with oversight responsibilities over WFP, both during their service and within three years of ceasing that service.